When talking about Medical streams, we automatically think about MBBS or BDS programmes. If you are a Medical aspirant, you must be aware that you need to qualify NEET exam for these courses. Despite the difficulty level of this entrance exam, these are the most popular career paths for every Biology student in India. So much, that every year, millions of students compete with each other to secure their seats.
As the number of NEET candidates are increasing every year which has made the competition fiercer, isn’t it rational to look for alternate options?
For those, intending to make a lucrative career in the medical field, you have several courses to opt for other than MBBS and BDS, which have a wide range of career opportunities. And the best part is, they do not require NEET scores. Although there are a few colleges/universities that do conduct separate entrance exams for certain courses, the competition is not as tough as NEET.
There are a variety of Medical courses you can pursue after 12th such as Biochemistry, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Medical Lab Technology. These courses are a blend of theoretical and practical training which sometimes might include mandatory industrial training.
To help you explore your career options in the Medical field, we have discussed top Medical courses after 12th without NEET in this blog.
Medical Courses After 12th without NEET
1. B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science)
For any Science student with biology as a subject, the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) programme is the first thought that comes to mind when choosing a career path. The traditional B.Sc. programme is a 3 years full-time undergraduate course which includes basic subjects like Botany, Zoology, Chemistry and a language subject. To seek admission, a candidate does not need NEET marks but should have obtained at least 50% marks in class 12th Science stream with Biology as the main subject. In some institutions, it is referred to as B.Sc. Medical.
Apart from this, there are several specialisations a B.Sc. programme offers which do not require NEET. To expand your career prospects, it is advised to choose a specialisation and develop expertise in such a field. Depending upon your stream, the duration can vary from 3 to 4 years. Here are a few basic popular Science courses which offer significant job opportunities:
| Course Name | Career Opportunities | Expected Salary (INR) |
| Biotechnology | Lab Technician, Biostatistician, Epidemiologist, Biochemist, Medical Writer, Biotechnology Instructor | 2 – 3 LPA |
| Microbiology | Microbiologist, Research Associate, Biomedical Scientist, Ecologist | 3.7 – 5.9 LPA |
| Nutrition & Dietetics | Clinical Nutritionist, Registered Dietician, Public Health Nutritionist, Sports Nutritionist, Food Quality Manager, Educator | 3 – 5 LPA |
| Food Technology | Food Safety officer, Quality Controller/Food Auditor, Food Technologist, Food Scientist, Technical Labelling Analyst | 2 – 4 LPA |
| Forensics | Forensic Pathologist, Crime Scene Examiner, Forensic Medical Expert, Fire Investigator | 4.5 – 5 LPA |
| Bioinformatics | Bioinformatics Research Scientist, Bioinformatics Analyst, Computational Biologist, Bioinformatician | 8 – 10 LPA |
| Biomedical Engineering | Graduate Assistant, Consultant, Bioprocess Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Research Scientist | 1.9 – 6 LPA |
2. Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a four-year undergraduate course offered by various government and private institutions across India. Candidates who have completed their 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks in science stream with Biology or hold a diploma in Nursing are eligible to apply for this course. Though most of the institutions do not require NEET scores, few institutions allow admission on the basis of NEET exam. In addition, some private institutions conduct their own entrance exam for Nursing programmes.
This programme broadly covers areas like Physiology, Biochemistry, Nutrition and Dietetics, Anatomy, Psychology and basic human body functions. The curriculum also includes a 6 months rotational internship at a hospital.
Average salary: INR 83,193 per month
3. Agriculture
For students interested in Agricultural Sciences, there are multiple options ranging from B.Sc. Agriculture to B.Tech Agriculture courses. These are four-year specialised bachelor’s programmes designed to prepare students for the Agriculture and Food Processing industries. Aspirants with 45-50% aggregate in their 10+2 (Science stream) are eligible to apply for these undergraduate programmes. In some institutions, a separate entrance test is also conducted for admission.
Besides Agricultural Sciences, you can also choose allied sectors of Agriculture depending on your interests including Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Fisheries Sciences, and Animal Husbandry among others.
| Course Name | Career Opportunities | Expected Salary (INR) |
| Agriculture | Farm Manager, Agricultural Technician, Agricultural Inspector, Food Inspector | 3.5 – 4.5 LPA |
| Horticulture | Landscaping Officer, Horticulture Officer, Food Safety Officer, Nursery Operator, Assistant Professor | 3.1 – 4 LPA |
| Plant Science/ Pathology | Aquatic Botanist, Limnologist, Plant Geneticist, Research Assistant | 4.7 – 5.6 LPA |
| Fisheries Sciences | Fisheries Biologist, Research Assistant, Sub-Inspector of Fisheries, Fisheries Extension Officer | 4.2 – 4.4 LPA |
| Animal Husbandry | Animal Care Specialist, Kennel Worker, Animal Trainer, Animal Biotechnologist, Wildlife Biologist, Animal Caretaker | 5.1 – 7.3 LPA |
4. Pharmacy
For those candidates who are looking forward to entering the Medical field, the four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) programme is an ideal choice. This course prepares the students to work in drug manufacturing and delivery. Students who successfully completed their 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA are eligible to enrol in this programme. While some institutions consider NEET scores for admission, few colleges conduct their own entrance tests. After completing the course, the students can either enter the research sector or technical side of the Pharmacy industry. With this course, you can find lucrative employment opportunities in both public and private corporations.
Career Opportunities: Pharmacist, Drug Inspector, Production & Quality Control, Medical Representative, Clinical Research Associate, Pharmacy Manager
Average Salary: INR 2.4 – 3.5 LPA
5. Paramedical Courses
In the Medical sector, Paramedical Professionals play a vital role in strengthening the healthcare infrastructure. Their role involves providing emergency medical services even before the patient enters the hospital. If you are someone who is interested in working closely with the patients, then pursuing a Paramedical course is the right choice. These are three-year full-time bachelor programmes offered by several private and government universities across the country.
To enrol in these programmes, you must have secured a minimum of 50% marks in 10+2 with Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology as main subjects). Among the long list of Paramedical courses, we have listed some popular courses in the table below.
| Course Name | Career Opportunities | Expected Salary (INR) |
| Cardiovascular Technology | Cardiovascular Technician, Cath Lab Technician, Echocardiographer | 2.8 – 3.3 LPA |
| Medical Imaging Technology | Radiographer, Computed Tomography (CT) Technologist, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, MRI Technologist | 2.1 – 3.2 LPA |
| Intensive Care Technology | Junior Resident Intensive Care Units, Anaesthesia Consultant & Critical Care, Respiratory Therapist, Adult Critical Care Specialist | 2.3 – 5.2 LPA |
| Blood Transfusion Technology | Laboratory Technician, Operating Room Technician, Paramedical Researcher | 1.2 – 4.3 LPA |
| Blood Banking Technology | Blood Bank Technician, Clinical Operations Manager | 2.4 – 4 LPA |
| Medical Lab Technology | Diagnostic Lab Manager, Pharmacy Technician, Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician, Cytogenetic Technician | 2.7 – 8 PA |
| Radiology and Imaging Technology | Radiographer, Radiology Technologist, Medical Image Analysis Scientist, X-Ray Technician | 2 – 5 LPA |
| Occupational Therapy | Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, Pediatric Therapist | 1.5 – 7.4 LPA |
6. Physiotherapy
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy is a three-year undergraduate programme designed to train skilled Physiotherapists. As a Physiotherapy Professional, you will be responsible for providing preventive and therapeutic services to treat disabilities. This is a practical based course which includes 6 months or 1 year of industrial training. Students who have completed 10+2 from a recognised board with a minimum of 50% marks can apply in this course. It is to be noted here that some colleges/universities may have their own entrance test for admissions.
Career Opportunities: Physiotherapist, Lecturer, Research Assistant, Sports Physio Rehabilitator Physiotherapist, Consultant
Average Salary: INR 2.5 – 4 LPA
7. Psychology
Bachelor of Science in Psychology is a three-year programme that revolves around the study of mind, emotions, social development, mental illness, human behaviour and other related areas. To enrol in a Psychology undergraduate programme, a student must have completed 10+2 with 50% marks having Biology as a subject. Furthermore, Psychology students can get employment in both the public and private sectors.
Career Opportunities: Psychologist, Child Psychology Assistant, Mental Health Counsellor, Industrial Psychologist
Average Salary: INR 3 LPA
Takeaway
For a medical student, there is no dearth of career opportunities. It only depends on your interest and the ability to find the appropriate course. So, if you are looking for undergraduate programmes in the medical stream without having to appear for NEET, there are countless courses to choose from.
Source of Salaries: Glassdoor
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